Fruit turning device



Mmh 31, 1942.

F. A. WOOL FRUIT TURNING nzvrcs Original Filed April 20, .1938

, INVENTOR FEANK A- WOOL BY ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 31, 1942 amen 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a fruit turning device,

and has for one of its objects a device and improved method for arranging fruit halves with their convex sides uppermost. Another object is an; improved device for use in combination with a conveyor for fruit halves, which device is adapted to turn over such halves as are supported on said conveyor with their convex sides down without disturbing such halves as may be disposed on such conveyor in positions with their convex sides up, and without retarding the speed of travel of the latter halves, and a further object is such device in combination with an endless conveyor adapted to carry the fruit halves rapidly in one direction as distinguished from a reciprocatory or oscillatory movement of the halves such as a shaker table or the like and which device functions to prevent fruit halves not disposed with their convex sides lowermost, from being carried past said device until such halves are inverted. Other objects and advantages will appear in the specification and drawing anneXed hereto. I

This application is a division of United States Letters Patent No. 2,252,089, issuedF'ebruary 18, 1941.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally of a conveyor showing myiruit turning devices thereover.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken along the line Z2 of Fig. l, with a fruit turning device in elevation,

Fig; 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view through a portion of a fruit turning device of my invention.

Briefly described, heretofore, the most commonly employed type of fruit turning, devices has cprnprised the inclined shaker-table type, in which the fruit halves are fed onto the elevated end of an inclined table which table is given a vibratory motion to cause the fruit halves, that are positioned with their convex sides downward, to rock until turned over. Others employ tables of this character, orinclined chutes, in either of which the discharge ends of the tables or chutes are slightly elevated from a fruit receiving conveyor or the like, it being contemplated that the halves improperly positioned will turn over to positions with their fiat sides against the conveyor upon dropping from such discharge ends.

Still others have contemplated the use of a chute or conveyor belt in combination with a var ed-rotor thereover having a radially outwardly opening hemispherical recess in the vanes that are intended to permit fruit halves on said chute or belt positioned with convex sides uppermost to freely pass through the recesses, but theedges of which recesses will catch the edges of the halves that are disposed with their flat sides up,

'to invert such halves when the vanes are revolved about the rotor axis in direction opposite. to the direction in which the halves are intended to be carried. n v

V In all of these previous attempts, the principal objections are (l) slowness of operation, with resulting decreaseincvolume of fruit delivered, (2) uncertainty in the functioning of the devices to properly turn over the fruit, and (3) injuryto the fruit halves. The latter two objectionsare most prevalent in the vane type'turner, while the first two are most prevalentin the shaker-table type, while all three objections occur to an obj ectionable degree. in both types. a

It might be added that in the vane-type turner, it is essential that the ,fruit halves be carefully guided along spaced rows tothe spaced, hemispherical notches in the vanes, which contributes materially to reducing the volume of this latter type, any fruit halves that areslightly tilted relative to normal so that their advancing side is lower than the following side, are practically certain to be mutilated. by the vanes, while undersized halves are likewise mutilated in-most, instances, even though some of such halves maybe turned over by the turner to proper positions.

With my device, the fruit is engaged by soft resilientrubber strips or bands that extend transversely of the direction of travel ofthehalves, and which bands are revolved transversely of their longitudinal axes, about a central axisoilset to one of the sides of the bands, and over the conveyor that carriesthe halves, henceno injury to the fruit is possible. Also the speed of travel of such halves on said conveyor, as are properly arranged, is not retardedin the least, hence the volume of halves passing the fruit turning apparatus or device, remains fairly constant, inasmuch as this speed may be relatively fast and inasmuch as in normal operation, a relatively large volume of l the fruit carried on the conveyor is properly positioned thereon. By ascertaining the average volume of halves that are normally properly positioned on the conveyor before the halves reach the turning device, it is relatively simple to either speed up the conveyor or to slow it down, to insure a uniform delivery of properly positioned fruit at a discharge point,

irrespective of how rapidly the improperly positioned halves are caused to be inverted. Insofar as I am aware, any material variation in the speed of the conveyor, with other devices, is not possible, where the conveyor and fruit turning devices function to turn over fruit While carried on the conveyor.

In detail, in Fig. l I show a pair of fruit turning devices, generally designated I, each of which is positioned over the upper run of a horizontally extending, endless conveyor belt 2 that is adapted to carry the fruit halves 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow. Any conventional feed device 4 may feed fruit halves in indiscriminate arrangement onto the conveyor belt 2, the one indicated being merely exemplary of one type of feed device that is adapted to feed a substantially uniform volume of halves per minute to belt 2. A feed belt 5 may be employed to feed fruit to the feed device 4.

The conveyor belt 2 extends over pulleys 6, I at its ends, one of which may be driven at any desired speed by a motor 8 connected thereto by a drive belt 9. In the present instance pulley I is connected with the motor for driving, said pulley being at the end of the belt 2 that is beyond the turners I.

While I show a pair of turners I, it is obvious that one or more may be employed, but, as will later be explained, a plurality of turners is preferable under most conditions. These turners I are at spaced points along the belt 2, and as their construction is identical, only one will be described in detail, the numerals used being applicable to either.

Each of the turners comprises a horizontally extending shaft I2 spaced above and extending across the belt I. Shafts I2 of the pair of devices are parallel and horizontally spaced, and each shaft is rotatably mounted in bearings I3 adjacent opposite ends (Fig. 2). A cross arm I4 is centrally secured to each opposite end of shaft I2. Each end of each arm I4 is formed with a groove I 5 and an opening I6 (Fig. 3), the grooves l5 being on the outermost ends of the arms and facing radially outwardly of shaft I2, while openings I 6 are spaced radially inwardly of grooves I5. The arms I4 on the ends of each shaft are in opposed relation and the openings I6 in the corresponding end portions of the arms are in horizontal alignment. The grooves I5 in corresponding end portions of the arms are also in horizontal alignment. An endless rubber band I1 is supported in stretched condition across the belt 2, between each of the opposed end portions of arms I4, said band extending through the openings I6 and then over the outer ends of the arms in grooves I5. The runs of each band are relatively close together, the outer run being that which lies in the grooves I5, in which it is held. Each band is mounted on the corresponding end portions of the arms by slipping the same through slots I8 that open outwardly of the arm portions through the sides of the latter that face toward the normal directional movement of the arms during revolution of shafts I2, as will later be explained.

Each slot I8 preferably extends slantingly from one end of each opening I6, so as to provide a resistance at the juncture of the opening I6 and slot. I8 to any tendency of the band I1 to slip out of the openings. Also the bands I! are preferably flat, and grooves I5 and openings I6 are shaped with flat sides to correspond to the flat sides of the band, one of the flat sides. of the 2 band facing shaft I2 and the other facing radially outwardly of the shaft.

The two shafts I2 are connected for rotation in the same direction by a belt I9 extending over a pulley 20 on a corresponding end of each shaft I2 and the shaft I2 that is nearest the feed device 4 ma also be provided with a pulley 2|, driven by a belt which extends over it, and which also extends over a pulley 22 secured on the shaft that mounts the belt pulley 6 that is nearest said feed device. The pulley 22 is preferably somewhat larger than pulley 2| so that the shafts I2 will be revolved at a substantially greater speed than the speed of travel of belt 2, the belt pulleys 6, I being, of course, smaller in diameter than pulley 22.

While any suitabl feed device may be used, it is desirable that such device feed a substantially uniform volume of halves onto belt 2, and the feed device shown is found to be highly satisfactory. Said device comprises a drum 25 extending transversely across one end of belt 2, which drum has radially outwardly projecting, equally spaced vanes 26 extending longitudinally of the drum, and ends 21 extending across th ends of the drum and ends of the vanes. Thus the drum sides, vanes and ends 21 cooperate to form equal sized radially outwardly opening compartments C around the drum. A shaft 28 supports the drum for rotation about its central horizontal axis, and a pulley 29 on said shaft is connected by a belt 30 with a pulley 3| on the shaft that mounts pulley 22 for revolving the drum and vanes 26 upon actuation of belt 2 by the motor 8.

The feed belt 5 may feed the fruit halves 3 to the compartments C at the side of the feed de-.

vice opposite belt 2, and at a higher elevation than belt 2. A blade 34 over the feed device is positioned to prevent over-loading any of the compartments C and a stationary closure plate 35 at th side of the feed device over and spaced above belt 2 is adapted to prevent fruit from falling out of compartments C until the compartments open downwardly toward said belt at a sufficient angle to insure a clean discharg of fruit halves from the compartments onto belt 2. The feed belt 5 may be actuated by a motor 36 sonnected to one of the pulley shafts mounting belt 5 by a belt 31 for actuating said belt 5.

The upper run of belt 2 is supported on a row of rollers 38 at that portion of its length that passes below the turners I. Thus said portion of the belt will always be properly spaced from the turners irrespective of variations in the weight of the fruit or any downward force on the belt 2.

The arms I4 on shaft I2 that is nearest the feed device are preferably secured to said shaft in a position to extend at right angles to the arms on corresponding ends of the other shaft, so that the arms on one of the turners will not be parallel with the arms on the other, and where more than two turners are used, the arms are preferably so positioned that the arms on adjacent turners are not parallel.

The circular path of travel of the bands H of each turner, is common to both bands of the pair, and the lowermost side of the circular path of the radially outermost band of each pair is positioned at a level about midway between the upper surface of belt 2 and the level of the uppermost point of any fruit half on the belt, irrespective of whether the half is with its fiat face down or with the convex side down.

, In operation, as the belt 2 is moved inthe direction indicated by the arrow, the bands I! are revolved aboutshafts l8, and where they come nearest the belt their direction of movement is opposite the direction of movement of the belt. Thus the leading convex sides of fruit halves 3, that are supported on the belt with their flat sides uppermost, are engaged by the rubber bands, which are rapidly revolved transversely of their longitudinal axes, about a central axis offset to one of the sides of the bands, and the fruit halves are flipped rearwardly over to positions with their convex sides uppermost. All halves on the belt that ar positioned with their convex sides uppermost will freely slide under the rubber bands, the bands readily yielding to permit the halves to so pass. Should any of the halves fail to be properly inverted by the first engagement with the bands, they will be flipped rearwardly, and prevented from passing th bands until properly inverted.

Under unusual circumstances, a fruit half may pass the first of the turners without being inverted, but this is relatively rare, and where this does occur, the second turner will function to properly invert such halves by reason of the bands on the second turner being disposed at different positions in their circular path relative to the positions of the bands of the first turner. It will be seen that the second turner in reality, coacts with the first turner and belt 2, so that the bands on the pair of turners will effectively scan substantially the full area of the belt 2 passing therebelow, thus precluding passage of some of the improperly positioned halves past both turners due to the possibility of such halves being carried past the first turners when the arms thereof are substantially horizontal.

The rollers 38, bearings l3, blade 34, pulleys and feed device, as described, are all suitably supported on frame members or brackets, as illustrated in the drawing and a housing 39 preferably extends over the turners and then downwardly past opposite side edges of the upper rim of belt 2 so as to prevent any of the fruit halves flipped upwardly by the turners from falling off the belt 2. Also the sides of said housing are formed with openings 4i! for the arms 14 to revolve in, said arms being slightly offset outwardly relative to the inner surfaces of the sides of said housing so as not to accidentally strike fruit halves that may glance off said surfaces.

The invention as herein described is suitable for use in arranging fruit or vegetable halves for inspection of the convex sides, or for use in arranging such halves preparatory to further operations thereon, such as slicing or dicing or any operation where it is desirable to have the halves arranged uniformly with their flat sides down.

The use of the soft elastic rubber bands precludes any damage to the fruit, which is particularly important in the case of peeled fruit, such as peaches, pears, etc., since some of such fruit is quite susceptible to injury by striking hard objects, and also the elimination of a vibrating table or chute, as has heretofore been generally used, prevents such injury as sometimes results from subjecting the halves to rubbing on such table or chute.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising conveyor means for supporting fruit halves thereon for movement in a generally horizontally extending path of travel in one direction; means actuating said conveyor means for causing saidmovement, a fruit turner at a point along said path, said turner includinga straight,

elongated member extending horizontally across said path, means mounting said memberv for movement transversely of its length in a vertically disposed circular path the lower portion veyor means with their flat sides facing upwardly will 'be engaged at their advanced, downwardly facing, convexly curved sides by said member, and will be flipped over by movement of said member upon travel of said member through said lower portion of said circular path, said member being elastic for yieldably sliding over the advanced upwardly facing convex sides of such halves as are carried on said conveyor means with their fiat sides facing downwardly thereby permitting such latter halves to pass said member free from obstruction thereby.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a horizontally extending, endless conveyor'belt for supporting fruit halves thereon for movement in one direction, a fruit turner over said belt for inverting fruit halves that may be supported on said belt with their flat out sides uppermost and their convexly curved sides facing toward said belt, said fruit turner comprising a pair of opposed members adjacent opposite lateral edges of said .belt; a pair of spaced, parallel, elastic bands extending horizontally between said opposed members; means supporting said members for rotation about an axis parallel with and substantially midway between said bands for revolution of said bands transversely of their lengths about said axis in a circular path disposed over said belt, said latter means supporting said members and belt in a position in which the lower portion of said circular path extends into the path of travel of fruit halves supported on said conveyor; means for revolving said member and said .bands in direction for movement of said bands at said portion opposite to the direction of movement of said halves; and means for actuating said belt for causing said latter movement.

3. In a construction as defined in claim 2, a second fruit turner identical in construction to the aforesaid fruit turner spaced from the latter and positioned similar to said latter turner relative to said belt, the bands on said second fruit turner being disposed in a different plane from the plane in which the bands of said first turner are disposed, and means for actuating both of said fruit turners simultaneously and at similar rates of speed.

4. In a construction as defined in claim 2, a housing spaced above the bands thereof and having a top wall extending over and longitudinally of said conveyor belt in direction from said turner opposite to the direction of movement of fruit to be carried on said belt and lateral side walls extending upwardly from opposite side edges of said belt.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a horizontally extending, endless conveyor belt for supporting fruit halves thereon for movement in one direction, a fruit turner over said belt for inverting fruit halves that may be supported on said belt with their flat, cut-sides uppermost and their convexly curved sides facing toward said belt; said fruit turner including an endless rubber .band taut and in a position extending horizontally across said belt with the runs of that portion of the band extending across said belt parallel and spaced apart; means supporting said band in said position for moving the runs thereof transversely of their length in a circular path about a horizontal axis extending parallel with said runs and in which position said circular path extends into the path of travel of the fruit to be carried on said belt; means for 10 6. A construction as defined in claim 5, the means supporting said band comprising opposed members disposed adjacent opposite lateral edges of said belt, and extending radially outwardly from opposite sides of said axis; said band extending between said opposed members from points respectively spaced radially from said axis at one side thereof, and a second endless rubber band connected with said members and extending therebetween from points spaced from the opposite side of said axis a distance substantially equal to the distance between said axis and the first mentioned band.

FRANK A. WOOL. 

